Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about 10 Blogging Mistakes I Made (And How You Can Avoid Them!).
Starting a blog is exciting—it opens up a whole new world of creativity, community, and even income potential. But as rewarding as it is, blogging also comes with its fair share of trial and error. Looking back, I can see that I made quite a few (lots of) mistakes that slowed my progress, cost me valuable time, and created unnecessary stress.
Starting a blog is one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made, but I’ll be the first to admit—I didn’t get everything (very much!) right. Over the years, I’ve made plenty of mistakes (some small, some more costly) that slowed my growth and made the process a lot harder than it needed to be.
The good news is, you don’t have to repeat them. In this post, I’m sharing the 10 biggest blogging mistakes I made, along with what I wish I’d done differently. My hope is that you can learn from my journey and approach blogging with a little more clarity, confidence, and direction.
If you’re new to blogging or looking to grow, my hope is that this list will save you some frustration, time, and missed opportunities. So here are the 10 blogging mistakes I made— and how you can avoid them.
10 Blogging Mistakes I Made (And How You Can Avoid Them)
When I first started my blog back in 2015, I had no roadmap. Like many new bloggers, I jumped in headfirst, hit publish, and hoped for the best. Looking back, I realise that many of my struggles came down to mistakes I could have avoided if I’d known better.
The good news? Every mistake taught me something invaluable — and those lessons are exactly what I want to share here.
Mistake 1: Not Defining My Niche
When I first started, I wrote about anything and everything that interested me—fashion, travel, wellness, lifestyle, interiors, even bits of business advice. The problem? Without a clear niche, readers didn’t know what to expect, (and nor did Google!) and I had no idea how to position myself.
While variety kept things exciting, it also left my blog scattered and confused my audience (not to mention myself). Without a clear niche, it was hard for people to know what my blog was really about, and harder still for search engines to categorize my site.
A blog with a clear focus builds authority faster and gives readers a reason to come back. If someone knows your blog is the go-to place for sustainable fashion or family travel hacks, they’ll return because they trust you for that topic.
As the blog readership grows, you can expand your content and categories – I just started the wrong way round. Despite this pretty big mistake I still managed to create a successful blog, but it would have been so much easier and saved me a lot of time if I had thought about my niche first!
Pro Tip: Pick a niche that balances your passions with what people are actively searching for. Think about the intersection of what you love, what you’re knowledgeable about, and what your ideal readers are searching for.
Mistake 2: Not Knowing Who My Ideal Reader Was
And that brings me to mistake number 2. For too long, I wrote content for “everyone”, and the unsurprising result was that I was really speaking to no one! Without knowing who my ideal reader was, I couldn’t create content that truly resonated.
Your ideal reader is the foundation of your blog. Once you know their challenges, interests, and desires, you can create content that feels like it was written just for them. That’s what builds loyalty and engagement.
Create a reader persona. Imagine your ideal reader as one real person—what are they struggling with? What do they dream of? Write directly to that person, and your content will instantly feel more personal and relevant.
Pro Tip: Create a simple reader persona with details like age, interests, struggles, and goals. Write every post as if you’re talking directly to them.
Mistake 3: Not Having a Content Plan and Lacking Consistency
In the early days, I posted sporadically—three posts in a week, then nothing for a month. My audience had no idea when to expect new content, and my traffic reflected that inconsistency.
The truth is, you don’t need to post daily (in fact, quality matters more than quantity). But you do need to show up regularly. A steady rhythm builds trust with readers and signals to search engines that your site is active.
A content plan keeps you organized, helps you stay on track, and ensures you’re creating with purpose (and taking all your content blocks into consideration) rather than scrambling for ideas.
Map out a content calendar and even if you start with just two posts a month, stick to that schedule. Readers value reliability far more than random bursts of activity.
Pro Tip: Plan 2–4 posts ahead and align them with seasonal trends, reader needs, or your own business goals.
Mistake 4: Writing for algorithms, not humans
Yes, SEO is one of the keys to success, but don’t forget who you are writing for and what their problem/ question is. For too long, I treated SEO just like a checklist to be ticked off (that’s once I had finally understood it because prior to that I just ignored it! ), I would just pick a keyword, stuff it in a few times, and hit publish. The truth is, SEO is about serving the reader’s intent. Why did they type that phrase into Google? What problem were they trying to solve?
It means making your content easy to find by the people who need it. And remember, SEO and storytelling need to work together. Yes, optimize your content for search engines—but don’t lose your authentic voice. Readers connect with humans, not keyword-stuffed robots.
When you start creating content that truly answers real questions, SEO stops being about algorithms and starts being about connection.
Before writing, ask yourself: Why would someone search for this? What problem are they trying to solve? Answer that question better than anyone else, and both readers and search engines will reward you.
So yes, learn SEO — it will pay dividends for years to come. But never forget that behind every search term is a real person looking for connection and information.
Pro Tip: Optimise for search engines, but always write for humans. Authentic content beats keyword stuffing every time, and focus on providing the most useful answer to your reader’s problem.
Mistake 5: Undervaluing Your Worth is one of the key Blogging Mistakes New Bloggers Make
Like many new bloggers, I was thrilled when brands first approached me. I said yes to “almost” everything — and often for very little (or even zero) compensation. Looking back, I realise I was undercharging for my time and skills (yes, even then I did have a few!).
But undervaluing yourself sets a dangerous precedent. It tells brands and clients that your work isn’t worth much, and it leaves you feeling drained rather than empowered.
Your blog has value, and so do you. Charging bargain-basement rates not only undervalues your work, but it also drags down industry standards.
Even when you’re new, set boundaries. Ask yourself: Does this opportunity align with my long-term goals? Does it fairly reflect the value I bring? Don’t be afraid to walk away if the answer is no.
Pro Tip: Do your research on fair rates for sponsored content, collaborations, and freelance work. Don’t be afraid to say no if an offer doesn’t respect your worth.
Mistake 6: Not Treating My Blog as a Business
One of the most common blogging mistakes is treating your blog as a hobby and not a business. In the beginning, I saw my blog as a hobby and I wrote when I felt like it and didn’t think about strategy. The problem? Without structure or consistency, my growth was painfully slow. Blogging success doesn’t happen by chance—it comes from treating your blog like a real business, even if it’s just you at your kitchen table (which it was!). That means planning, setting goals, and showing up consistently.
I resisted investing in tools, training, or outsourcing — and that held me back. The problem is, you can’t expect business results from hobby habits.
Investing in reliable hosting, professional design, and time-saving tools would have not only made my blog look more professional but also saved me countless hours of frustration.
The silver lining? Blogging has taught me unexpected skills along the way. I never imagined I’d learn so much about design, social media strategy, or financial planning. I would undoubtedly have progressed quicker by outsourcing but then I wouldn’t have learned the skills I have now by investing in myself instead.
Whether you choose to outsource web design, SEO and social media or do them yourself, you need to be aware that you are a business owner and act like one from day one.
Pro Tip: Even if you start as a hobby blogger, plan like a business owner. Invest in the right tools (email marketing, hosting, scheduling), and in your own learning. Block out dedicated “blogging hours” in your calendar. When you treat blogging like a job, others will too.
Mistake 7: Focusing on the Wrong Things
Focusing on the Wrong Things is one of the most common blogging mistakes. For a long time, I poured energy into what I thought mattered — instead of what really moved the needle. The truth is, not all tasks have equal impact and 80% of blogging success comes from 20% of what you do. The trick is knowing where to put your energy.
I spent hours tweaking my blog design, playing with colours and fonts, and obsessing over Instagram posts—while ignoring the things that actually mattered, like publishing more content and connecting with readers.
A big reason I didn’t see this clearly is that I neglected analytics — I wasn’t measuring what content worked or how readers found me. For a long time, I wrote content without ever checking what was actually working. I had no idea which posts were driving traffic, what keywords were bringing readers in, or where my audience was dropping off. Analytics aren’t just numbers—they’re a roadmap to what your readers actually want, and without tracking the right numbers, it’s easy to focus on ‘busy work’ instead of growth-driving activities.”
When I finally started checking analytics, I discovered surprising insights—some of my “throwaway” posts performed far better than the ones I’d poured weeks into.
Analytics show you what works and what doesn’t. They take the guesswork out of blogging and help you make data-driven decisions. Use tools like Google Analytics or even your platform’s built-in dashboard to track what’s working and let the data guide your energy, not your perfectionism
Pro Tip: . Don’t just track numbers—interpret them. Look at your top-performing posts and ask, “Why did this resonate?” Then, create more of what your readers clearly want.
Mistake 8: Putting All My (Financial) Eggs in One Basket
When you rely too heavily on a single income source or traffic channel, you’re at the mercy of things you can’t control. Diversification is key to building a stable and resilient blogging business (or any business).
Relying too heavily on any single channel — whether it’s Pinterest traffic, affiliate income, or brand sponsorships — is risky. True sustainability comes from diversification.
Pro Tip: Spread your risk. Build multiple income streams (ads, affiliates, products, services) and nurture different traffic sources. That way, if one dips, your blog keeps going strong.
Mistake 9: Not starting an email list soon enough
Putting all your efforts into growing social media is another one of the most frequent blogging mistakes as it’s so fragile to build an audience on platforms you don’t control.
Social media can vanish in a second—Facebook can hide your content unless you pay, Instagram can change its algorithm, or platforms can shut down entirely.
Your email list, on the other hand, is yours. It allows you to build a direct relationship with your readers, share updates, and promote content or products without worrying about algorithm changes.
An engaged email list can become your blog’s most powerful asset. Start your email list on day one—even if you only have a handful of subscribers at first.
Pro Tip: Begin collecting email addresses early. Offer something small but valuable—a checklist, template, or exclusive tips—to encourage sign-ups.
Mistake 10: Not creating my own products
Depending on affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and ad revenue is another of the common blogging mistakes. While these are great income streams, they come with a big downside: you’re at the mercy of other people’s platforms, policies, and payouts. When an affiliate program changes terms or a sponsor pulls out, your income takes an instant hit.
Creating your own products—like digital guides or resources—gives you independence, allows you to serve your readers directly, and builds a stronger foundation for long-term growth.
Pro Tip: Think about what problems your readers have and how you can solve them. Whether it’s an ebook, template, workshop, or course, your first product doesn’t need to be big or complicated.
Blogging Resources
Want some more help? Check out my curated list of essential blogging resources here.
10 Blogging Mistakes I Made (And How You Can Avoid Them!)
Blogging has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life, but it’s also been full of trial and error. These mistakes slowed me down, but they don’t have to slow you down too!
The key takeaways? Treat your blog as a business from day one. Invest in yourself and the right tools and remember who you are writing for (and I don’t just mean your Mum!). Know your readers, understand what they want, and give them what they truly need. That balance is where your blog will flourish.
If you avoid these 10 blogging mistakes and approach blogging with intention, consistency, and resilience, you’ll be miles ahead of where I started. And remember: every post you publish is progress, every lesson learned is growth, and your blogging journey is uniquely yours.
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Here’s to continued inspiration, elevated experiences, and the beauty of the journey. x
Look good, feel good, live your best life 🙂
With love,
Some (but not all) links in my Blogging Resources are affiliate links—that means that at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you book through these links, and that helps me keep this blog running.